Cell phone use, including texting and driving, caused 18,122 traffic crashes in Tennessee in 2017. Even though texting while driving is against the law in Tennessee, cellphone-related traffic crashes continue to increase year after year. The law banning texting and driving, TN Code section 55-8-199, has been on the books since 2009, but the law does not seem to be an adequate deterrent to those drivers who believe that they can read and send text messages while they are driving.

The problem of distracted driving nationwide

The CDC reports that nine people are killed every day in the United States in distraction-related traffic crashes.

The three types of distraction for drivers per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:

• Visual: taking your eyes off the toad.
• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive: taking your mind off the task of driving

Things that you try to do while you are driving, such as shaving, applying mascara, eating or even adjusting the GPS can distract you from the task of driving, which needs 100% of your attention. The challenge that cell phone use poses is that it engages all three types of distraction at the same time. You think that you are taking your eyes off the road for just a second, but that can stretch out to five or more seconds and with both eyes and attention distracted from concentrating on driving, a person could hit a pedestrian, run a red light, or even drift from their lane into oncoming traffic. One thing that drivers who think they can keep their attention on texting and driving fail to consider is that they are putting other lives in danger as well as their own when they make that losing gamble.

What is Tennessee’s plan for ending distracted driving?

In the FY2018 Highway Safety Plan, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office shares their goals for overall traffic safety initiatives for 2018. Specifically, regarding distracted driving, the goal is to reduce the number of distracted driving crashes by 5% from 24,754 in 2016 to 23,516 by the end of 2018, and reduce the number of distracted driving fatalities by 10% from 59 in 2016 to 53 by the end of 2018.

The plan to achieve these goals includes a combination of education and enforcement strategies including the use of digital media outreach and data analysis to identify high-risk populations for targeted initiatives to reduce distraction-related crashes, injuries and fatalities.

Regarding enforcement, in 2017, there was a statewide distracted driving enforcement bus tour where the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office partnered with local law enforcement officers in a bus which they used to observe motorists to find traffic violations. The officers on the bus communicated with officers on the road which resulted in 224 citations issued, and the effort garnered coverage in the Wall Street Journal in May 2017.

The THSA promoted a “Thumbs Down for Texting and Driving” campaign in April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness month. They used radio spots and digital media to raise awareness and educate the community about the dangers of texting and driving.

Tips for preventing distracted driving crashes

Making tougher laws with higher penalties and fines can only go so far towards ending the hazard of distracted driving. It is every driver’s responsibility to break the habit of using the mobile phone when they are driving. The National Safety Council offers these tips for what individuals can do to end distracted driving:

• Do not text and drive and do not allow your novice drivers to have their phones within reach when they are driving.
• If you are riding in a vehicle with another driver who is texting while they are driving, ask them not to do so.
• Tennesseans who feel strongly about the need for tougher enforcement of the current law, can contact their local and state legislators and advocate for stronger laws.

At Delius & McKenzie, PLLC, we help our clients throughout Tennessee by protecting their right to recover compensation after they are injured in a distracted driving crash. Our experienced Sevierville auto accident lawyers will answer your questions and they will fight for justice on your behalf. You may call (865) 428-8780 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation today. We proudly serve clients in Sevierville, Seymour, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.